It didn't exactly put the seal of approval on Kenny Jackett's new contract, but Swansea City were stretched to the limits in their opening pre-season friendly. Welsh Premiership side Carmarthen took the first half at a canter as the League One side wilted in the heat, but as the night cooled ever so slightly, Jackett's men started to hot up.
But they left themselves with too much to do and had to settle for a six-goal draw as they got their rusty joints moving once more.
Having signed a two-year contract earlier in the day, it was down to the real business for Jackett last night.
The first of five pre-season friendlies at Carmarthen saw the Swansea boss fielded a near first XI at the sweltering Richmond Park with new signing Darren Pratley making his bow since his £100,000 move from Fulham in last month.
Carmarthen opened their new Clay Shaw Butler Stand which, come Christmas, will boast 1,000 seats allowing the West Wales club to stage European fixtures on their home territory.
Swansea, who were without record £375,000 signing Dean Leacock - the former Fulham man watched from the shaded stand with a tight hamstring - got off to a disastrous start.
Mark Jones's men, who are already into their second month of the season having played in the Intertoto Cup, opened the scoring after five minutes.
Alan Tate was adjudged to have handled the ball 25 yards from his goal and Colin Loss floated over the free-kick which saw Tom Williams head the ball on to his own post giving Martyn Giles the simplest of tap-ins.
Swansea, taking the game at a gentle pace because of the near 30C temperature in the opening half, tried to find a way into the game and on nine minutes, Rory Fallon and Lee Trundle linked up nicely but the Scouse striker put his shot harmlessly over Andrew Delve's bar.
Things got even worse for Swansea on 24 minutes as the hosts doubled their lead with a beautiful curling strike from Mark Dodds, leaving Willy Gueret standing to admire the Carmarthen striker's handy work.
Swansea needed a goal and quickly, so they turned to their top scorer of the past three seasons to get the game back within reach.
A Kevin McLeod cross picked out Trundle and like so many times before he drilled the ball into the back of the net.
Carmarthen did not let Trundle's goal get them down because within a minute they restored their two-goal advantage.
Loss forced a corner when Gueret scrambled his shot behind after Giles had found the Carmarthen midfielder in space. The resulting corner saw Loss lay the ball short to Nathan Cotterall.
The left-winger saw his shot ghost into the net as both Gueret and Kevin Austin were caught in two minds, but it was the Frenchman who held his hands up for the mistake.
Surely Swansea's hopes were not being ripped at the seams in July?
The second half saw Jackett ring the changes as he sent on Bayo Akinfenwa, Izzy Iriekpen, Steve Watt, Leon Knight and triallist goalkeeper Andy Oakes to try to change the fortune of the game and ensure his signature on his new two-year deal was sealed with a win.
But Carmarthen were in command. For long periods Jackett's ranting and raving went unheeded until a Delve mistake let McLeod cooly slot the ball into an empty net on 58 minutes giving the visiting fans some hope.
Swansea were back on level term on the hour when McLeod turned provider to allow Knight to nip in front of Delve and tap the ball into the net.
Nathan White went close to snatching victory for the hosts, but it was Trundle, who had come back on the pitch for Pratley, who nearly claimed glory - his effort with the outside of his left boot hitting the base of the post.
Swansea will need a better performance if they are to get anything out of the match involving a team wearing gold and black on Saturday when they face Wolves at the Liberty Stadium.
